Maria Michael

Welcome to my page. I hope you find the information you are looking for here. 
Regardless of what school or theory a therapist has trained in, what’s important is that you can build a relationship with them where you are at ease and able to speak freely.  

I know it can be a courageous step to decide to seek out a counsellor, and I respect anyone that makes that decision. People consider therapy for a range of reasons. Perhaps you know “what’s the matter”, or maybe you sense something isn’t quite right. Perhaps there’s something you want to achieve? Whatever the reason, I invite you to come and explore it together. 

I have previous experience of working in a low-cost counselling service where people brought a range of matters to talk through. For the past 7 years I have been working with a charity in London that specializes in bereavement counselling.  

I have among other issues, experience of working with bereavement, losses of various kinds, relationship matters, anxiety, historic abuse, depression, self-esteem, health-related and work-related issues. Beyond my work in psychotherapy, I have held varying support roles within multicultural high schools and have experience of the creative arts and youth work. In these opportunities I have come alongside and supported people from different backgrounds, beliefs, ages and life experiences.  

How I work
When we experience being seen, heard and accepted for how we are, we become open to looking at what we may find difficult about ourselves, how we are with other people, and at opportunities for change. The quality of our counselling relationship is therefore at the core of our work. 

I am a Person-Centred counsellor which means I will make your needs central and tailor how I work based on you as an individual. It also means that what we talk about is up to you. I will follow your lead on what you believe needs the most attention and how deeply you choose to go into it. I work in a holistic manner, meaning I understand that what you come to counselling about does not happen in isolation. We are shaped by our experiences, environment, and the choices that we make. Some things are in our control, others are not. These influences and how we respond to them affect how we are in ourselves and with others. We can therefore consider the wider picture of what is happening in your life in our work together.  

I provide a confidential space where I will listen carefully to understand your perspective and what you are experiencing. I offer you an accepting environment where we can speak plainly. My hope is that you can feel safe to be open and bring every aspect of yourself, which I understand can feel vulnerable. 

I may ask clarifying questions or observe what I am noticing in the moment, such as bodily responses or recurring ideas. In addition, as part of our collaborative relationship, I may also offer some of how I experience you and the matters you choose to share. These can offer us greater understanding of what you are experiencing and help open possibilities of how you can move forward. Based on my experience, I believe you are more likely to commit to changes and decisions when they come from you. 

I have witnessed how being with someone in this personal way, where they feel heard and understood can make a difference, reveal new possibilities and be life-changing. I therefore trust that by talking through matters you will find your way forward. 

How can I know if you are a suitable therapist for me? 
I offer a free initial 20 minutes conversation over Zoom or telephone. This is to allow us to get a sense of each other, what brings you to therapy, and if I am well placed to assist you. 
You are under no obligation to make a further appointment if you are unsure about working with me after this meeting. I would encourage you to take time to decide if you think we would be a good fit for the work.  

How many sessions will we have? 
This is something we will discuss. We can work together either for a set number of sessions or in an open-ended manner depending on your need. We will review our work regularly so that I can hear how you are finding our work and relationship to be going, to discuss what is helpful and how we might do things differently. 

What can I expect in our first session? 
Where we agree to work together after an initial conversation, we will in the first 50 minute session, go over our contract together in case you have any queries. 

I will then ask you a few questions so that I can get an idea of the wider picture of how things are for you at this time and what supports you have around you. We will also look at what you want to get out of our work. 

This is a conversation and an opportunity for you to tell me anything you want me to know about you and your circumstances from the outset.  It will help lay some groundwork for our relationship going forward. 
 

If you would like more information, please contact me using the details above.

I offer a reduced rate of £55 per session for students and counselling or psychotherapy trainees, however these spaces are limited. Please get in touch for further details or to discuss.